Ramon Vega to Run Against Gianni Infantino for FIFA President

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has said he will challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency in next year's election. This news was reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old ex-Switzerland international is the first person to openly announce he will run against Infantino. Infantino has stated he is committed to leading football's governing body.

Vega, who also played for Celtic and Watford, retired from football in 2004 and later went into finance. He said he wants to bring the global football community together and push for major changes at FIFA.

“I am standing to reunite the global football family, deliver genuine and lasting reform, modernise FIFA for the 21st Century, restore stability and credibility, and rebuild the trust that our game urgently needs,” Vega said.

The former centre-back has thought about running for FIFA president before. He looked into it in 2015 after the suspension of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and announced in 2019 that he would challenge Infantino.

However, he could not get the support of five FIFA member associations, which meant he could not be on the ballot.

Now announcing his latest attempt, Vega said his experience has prepared him to lead football.

“I am standing because my life has prepared me to serve the game,” he said.

Vega has spoken out against what he sees as divisions in football administration. He wants FIFA to take a new path.

“Football does not belong to presidents, confederations or administrators. Football is greater than any position, any individual or any institution,” he said.

He added that the sport belongs to players, coaches, referees, fans, clubs, leagues, associations, and communities worldwide.

Vega also accused the current FIFA leadership of hurting the organisation's reputation and losing trust among its stakeholders.

“The current leadership has demoralised the game. Weak governance has damaged FIFA’s credibility and eroded trust across the global football family,” he said.

He called for an end to internal conflicts that might harm those involved in the sport.

“Ego-driven battles within football administration must never be allowed to damage those who matter most: the players, coaches, referees and supporters around the world. They are not responsible for these conflicts. They deserve better,” Vega said.

Infantino has faced calls to resign but said last month that he is “fully committed to leading FIFA.”

Vega, on the other hand, believes FIFA cannot afford to make small changes anymore and needs real reform.

“Football is in the emergency room, on life support. We cannot wait any longer. FIFA needs a new direction and fundamental reform,” he said.

The former Spurs player will now look for support from FIFA member associations as he tries to secure a spot on the ballot for the presidential election next year.